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THE COMMUNITY ACTION ASSOCIATION OF PENNSYLVANIA

Organization Directory Page

• Organization description

• Source of official student records

• Titles of evaluated learning experiences

• Descriptions and credit recommendations

The Community Action Association of Pennsylvania (CAAP) is the statewide association of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania representing the state's Community Action Agencies that provide anti-poverty planning and community development activities for low-income communities and services to individuals and families.

CAAP's mission is to assist in moving people from poverty to self-sufficiency by acting as a statewide voice for local CAAs and low-income residents, addressing policy issues of importance to them on the local, state and national levels.

In support of that mission, CAAP provides the Family Credential Development program to workers who provide direct services to families. The objective of the FDC is to infuse strengths-based family support principles into the practice of all institutions and agencies striving to improve the lives of children and families across Pennsylvania.

Source of official student records: Program Manager, Family Development Program, The Community Action Association of Pennsylvania, 222 Pine Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101.

Descriptions and credit recommendations

Family Development Credential
Location: Various approved facilities throughout Pennsylvania.
Length: 90 hours over 9 months (45 hours didactic; 45 hours preparing for and supporting the supervised field experience); in addition, a minimum of 100 hours of supervised competency-based field experience.
Dates: September 2005 - Present.
Objectives: This program, which leads to the awarding of the Family Development Credential (FDC), is an integrated learning experience, involving both a classroom and field service component. Many of the following learning objectives apply to both the classroom instruction and the field service component; however, they are listed under separate sections to better illustrate how the skills and knowledge acquired in Part 1 are applied in Part 2. Part 1, Classroom Instruction: Explain the core principles underlying the empowerment and family support approach to family development, as opposed to the deficit approach; name major roles played by family development workers; explain ways family systems influence family members; identify a personal vision for work, which can serve as a source of motivation and direction for setting goals; set goals for oneself, yearly, monthly, weekly and daily, to help one focus on what is most important; identify sources of stress in one's life and design a personal stress management and wellness program; build mutually respectful relationships with families; begin positive relationships with families, build those relationships, and end the relationships in ways that avoid dependency yet support families' future development; develop sensitivity to families; communicate effectively with families, co-workers, and people from other agencies or community organizations (e.g., listening, I messages); use verbal and non-verbal communication effectively (handling conflict, confronting people); explain what cultural competence is, why it is vital for family workers, and ways in which it is a life-long process; become aware of and sensitive to cultural competency and diversity; give examples of various kinds of oppression and how they can be internalized, creating barriers to growth and change within individuals and groups; discuss and apply seven basic principles of empowerment-based assessment in working with families; discuss an example of a culturally appropriate assessment; discuss why specialized services are often needed to help families reach their goals for healthy self-reliance; discuss what services are available in the local area and how to find and access these services; discuss the purpose of support and advocacy groups in order to encourage families to participate; become familiar with group process (advocacy, support, family groups); discuss the role of support in family work and set up and facilitate meetings; discuss the differences among coordination, cooperation, and collaboration, and choose the most appropriate method for each situation that requires working together with others. Part 2, Field Service and Portfolio Development Component: Work the family support approach into ongoing programs; assist families in reflecting on factors that have contributed to their current situation, while still focusing on present and future goals; develop a plan for working on a strengths basis with supervisors, based on an understanding of personal goals and needs and those of supervisors, sharing information, and lending support; adjust verbal and non-verbal communication, given the cultural backgrounds of families one is working with; use ongoing assessment to promote family self-reliance; conduct assessments focused on the family's current situation and future goals with appropriate confidentiality; treat family information with respect for the family's confidentiality; establish rapport and mutually respectful relationships with families in the families' homes; use the Family Development Plan to focus home visits on the family's goals, and avoid over-dependence; develop a resource guide to local services at the local and state level; support families as they use specialized services, making sure the services support the family's self-reliance goals; work skillfully with families who have many complex problems; help families identify and strengthen their informal helping networks; help families facilitate their own family conferences; set up and facilitate meetings; collaborate effectively with individuals, including families and other workers; collaborate effectively with other agencies; help families provide their own case management.
Instruction: This learning experience, leading to the FDC, is intended to help redirect the way health, education, and human services are delivered to families. This redirection is moving systems away from crisis-oriented and fragmented services toward an empowerment and family support-based approach, emphasizing prevention, interagency collaboration, and a greater role for families in determining services. The program is an integrated learning experience, involving both a classroom and field service component, the latter under the mentorship of a field advisor. Topics covered include: family development: a sustainable route to healthy self-reliance; worker self-empowerment; building mutually respectful relationships with families; communication; cultural competence; ongoing assessment; home visiting; helping families access specialized services; facilitating family conferences, support groups, and community meetings; collaboration. NOTE: The classroom component concludes with a written examination. The field service component concludes with the student's submission of a portfolio of competency-based activities and exercises to be used in assessing the student's grasp of the skills and competencies required to receive the credential.
Credit recommendation: Part 1 only: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours (didactic) in Child and Family Development, Human Services, Human Sciences, Social Sciences, Social Work, or related disciplines. Part 1 and 2: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 7 semester hours (3 didactic and 4 field service) in Child and Family Development, Human Services, Human Sciences, Social Sciences, Social Work, or related disciplines (11/06). NOTE: The Family Development Credential is awarded only to those who complete Parts 1 and 2.

Updated 11/9/06

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